McCaffrey (cramps) expects to be fine vs. Texans
The Panthers have no concerns with Christian McCaffrey heading into Thursday's game after the star running back suffered "onset cramps" briefly during Sunday's win.
2021 Schedule
2021 Schedule
2-0, 1st in NFC South
- 8/15L 21-18
- 8/21L 20-3
- 8/27W 34-9
- 9/12W 19-14
- 9/19W 26-7
- 9/23
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/3
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/10
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/17
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/24
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/31
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/7
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/14
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/21
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/28
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/12h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- TBD
- 12/26
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/2h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 1/9h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- Full Schedule
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Running back Christian McCaffrey says while the Panthers have a very young team, they are mature. That's helped Carolina to a 2-0 start for the first time since McCaffrey‘s rookie year in 2017.
Are 2-0 Carolina Panthers a playoff team? DE Brian Burns thinks so: 'Yeah. Facts.'
A smothering defense, an electric Christian McCaffrey and solid play from Sam Darnold have Panthers off to a promising start.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Talk about an improvement. Through two games the Panthers have held opponents to 25 percent on third down, second only to the Vikings. Last year, they ranked 31st on third-down at 49 percent.
Week 2 takeaways and big questions: Patriots' big day, Ravens beat Chiefs and a shocker for the Saints
New England and Buffalo dominated, while New Orleans looked out of sorts and Green Bay got back on track. Here's what to know and what it means going forward for every Week 2 game.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
This is impressive. The Panthers pressured Jameis Winston on 18 of his 28 dropbacks (64%), the third-highest pressure rate for any NFL team since ESPN began tracking pressure in 2009. It was the highest pressure rate Winston has ever faced.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns making a statement about the team's mentality with sweatshirt that says ‘'There is no finish line.''
Darnold throws 2 TDs, Panthers D dominates Saints 26-7
— Through two games, quarterback Sam Darnold is thriving in Carolina.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
The Panthers open 2-0 for the first time since 2017, the last time they had a winning season. The key? Consistent play of Sam Darnold and a swarming defense. Next up is a chance to go 3-0 with a Thursday night game against Houston.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Panthers QB Sam Darnold was 6 of 10 for 107 yards and a touchdown on play-action passes in a Week 1, and is 5 of 8 for 61 yards and a touchdown today. He had no play-action TD passes with the Jets in 2020, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
McCaffrey barely breaks the plane on 11-yard TD run (0:16)
Jameis Winston throws INT on desperation heave (0:23)
Darnold hits Moore on the slant for second TD pass of the day (0:16)
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Panthers QB Sam Darnold looked like a Pro Bowler, completing 16 of 20 first-half pass attempts for 216 yards and two touchdowns. The defense was smothering, holding the Saints to 65 yards and three first downs. In building a 17-0 lead this was the most complete first-half domination by Carolina since Matt Rhule took over last season.
Darnold rolls out and hits Brandon Zylstra for 20-yard TD (0:17)
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Impressive first drive for the Panthers. Solid pocket for Sam Darnold. Good variety of play selection. And nice rollout touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Brandon Zylstra, More impressive than any drive in the opener.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
The Keep Pounding prompt returns to Bank of America Stadium after a big outcry from fans.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Interesting from ESPN Stats and Info. Saints QB Jameis Winston is making his 10th career start vs Panthers. His 40 Total QBR in those games is his 3rd-lowest against any team he's made multiple starts against.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Panthers inactives: OT Trent Scott, WR Shi Smith, OG MIchael Jordan, OG Deonte Brown, DT Phil Hoskins, DE Darryl Johnston, TE Colin Thompson.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
My three keys for the Panthers in today's NFC South game against the Saints: X This may be an every week key, but keep Sam Darnold clean. He was pressured 14 times and hit seven times by the Jets last week, and the Saints are much better. X Pressure Jameis Winston and get him back into some of his Tampa Bay bad habits (picks). X Be more efficient in the red zone. 1TD out of four trips like last week won't cut it.
Saints minus two more assistants amid protocols
The Saints announced Saturday defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen and pass rush specialist Brian Young will not be with the team for its second game of the year due to NFL COVID-19 protocols, joining six others from New Orleans coach Sean Payton's staff.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Panthers right guard John Miller admitted he had COVID-19 last week when he missed the opener and "was down pretty bad for three or four days.'' He watched the 19-14 win over the Jets from bed. He said if he had to face the Saints today he probably would play only half the game. He wouldn't discuss if having COVID changed his stance on the vaccination.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Panthers second year safety Jeremy Chinn laughed and admitted there's some confusion when somebody yells JC on the field because it could be him, middle linebacker Jermaine Carter or cornerback Jaycee Horn. In this case, thought, it's better to have three JC's than none.
How Christian McCaffrey 'opens up all of the possibilities' of the Panthers' offense
Now that offensive coordinator Joe Brady has McCaffrey back in action, he can open up his full playbook in 2021.
David Newton ESPN Staff Writer
Panthers DC Phil Snow admits he's got his hands full preparing for the Saints, who have beaten Carolina eight of the last nine games. New Orleans has averaged 30.5 points in those wins. Snow notes coach Sean Payton has had one of the "best offenses in the league the last 10 years.''
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2021 NFC South Standings
| TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 79 | 54 |
| Carolina | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 45 | 21 |
| New Orleans | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 45 | 29 |
| Atlanta | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 31 | 80 |
2021 Team Leaders
- Offense
- Defense
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Receiving Yards
Tackles
Sacks
Interceptions
Team Stats
Passing Yards282.09th
Rushing Yards100.021st
Points For22.5Tied-18th
Points Against10.532nd
2021 Draft Picks
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(8) | Jaycee Horn | CB | South Carolina |
| 2(27) | Terrace Marshall Jr. | WR | LSU |
| 3(6) | Brady Christensen | OT | BYU |
| 3(20) | Tommy Tremble | TE | Notre Dame |
| 4(21) | Chuba Hubbard | RB | Oklahoma State |
| 5(14) | Daviyon Nixon | DT | Iowa |
| 5(22) | Keith Taylor | CB | Washington |
| 6(9) | Deonte Brown | OG | Alabama |
| 6(20) | Shi Smith | WR | South Carolina |
| 6(38) | Thomas Fletcher | LS | Alabama |
| 7(4) | Phil Hoskins | DT | Kentucky |